Improvement in track-clearers



T. TEMPLE & J. H. MILLER.

TRACK-CLEARER. No 178 687 Patented June13, 1876.

N Q T) 0 lnv en cors:

I I yawtfjil I Witnesses j LM4J N.FETER5. PNOTO-LITNOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON D C NITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRACK-CLEARERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 178,687, dated J une 13, 1876; application filed March 2, 1876.

' Letters Patent of the United States, No.

138,913, dated May 13, 1873, were duly issued to said Miller; and reference is here made to said Patent No.138,913 for a description of the device on which this invention is an improvement, and of the manner of its attachment and adjustment in connection with a locomotive and we hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of such improvement, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and the letters of reference marked thereon.

Our improvement consists in forming the track-cleaner of two blades, coupled together by means of hinges, the lower blade being held in position by means of springs fixed to the upper blade, in such a manner that the lower blade will yield to any solid obstruction on the track, thereby preventing the d isplacement of the cleaner and any serious. damage to the cleaner or the cow-catcher.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side view of our improved flange cleaner. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same.

In the said drawing, D designates the upper blade, and E the lower blade, of the cleaner, the said blade E being coupled to the blade D, as shown, by means of the hinges on a, which are rigidly fastened to the blade D, and pass through the slots 0 ein blade E. The springs c c are also firmly fastened to the blade D, and serve to hold the lower blade in position, and also allow it to yield to an obstruction.

When the cleaner is attached to the locomotive and the train is in motion, should the cow-catcher pass over any solid obstruction, the blades being coupled, as shown, by means of the hinges, the lower blade closes inward, thereby passing over the obstruction, and immediately resuming its place or position again on the rail by means of the said springs pressing against the said lower blade.

We claim- In the railway-track cleaner, the combination of the blades D and E, the hinges a a, and springs c c, as shown, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we hereunto affix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

THOS. TEMPLE. JAMES H. MILLER.

Witnesses:

JOHN RIOHARDS, E. B. PULLINSFQRD. 

